This adventure on Kauai’s southeast coast is perfect for the whole family. Follow a short trail to Hawaii’s largest limestone cave, the Makauwahi Cave Reserve, home to rich fossil deposits and a well-preserved archaeological site.
The cave functions as a living museum, showcasing both ancient history and ongoing conservation efforts. Once-abandoned farmland around the cave has been restored, allowing native plants and animals to thrive. Nearly 100 native plant species, including endangered ones, now flourish in the forest, dune, and wetland habitats. You may also spot endangered waterbirds and an underground ecosystem of blind cave invertebrates.
HOW TO GET TO MAKAUWAHI CAVE RESERVE
To reach Makauwahi Cave Reserve, head toward the south side of Kauai near Poipu. Take Ala Kinoiki Road toward Mahaulepu Beach. The last section is a dirt road, park near CJM Stables, where the trail starts.
It’s a short, scenic walk to the cave from the parking area, less than half a mile. The trail is mostly flat but uneven in spots. As you approach, look down into the sinkhole before following a short descent. A small footbridge leads into the sinkhole and marks the cave entrance. You’ll need to crouch to enter a 3-foot-tall opening. It’s only a few steps, and this area is gated outside volunteer hours. Be sure to check their website for open hours: cavereserve.org.
TOURS OF MAKAUWAHI CAVE RESERVE
This is a self-guided activity, but volunteers are on hand to share fascinating facts and point out fossils.
Makauwahi Cave is home to a fascinating and rare species of blind cave-dwelling spiders. These spiders, known as Adelocosa anops, are part of the wolf spider family and have adapted to life in the dark caves, losing their eyesight over time. They are unique to this cave system and one of the few known species of completely blind spiders in Hawaii.
Because of their isolated environment, these spiders rely on their other senses to catch prey and navigate the cave. The discovery of Adelocosa anops highlights the cave’s rich biodiversity and its importance as a conservation site, protecting species that can’t be found anywhere else. Be sure to ask a volunteer about it as they live in a section of the cave that isn’t accessible to the public, however they can point it out to you and share additional interesting facts.
Tortoise Sanctuary, Lida’s field of Dreams
Nearby, you can visit the reserve’s 13 giant tortoises. Just past the cave entrance, two gated areas house male and female tortoises separately. The males are easier to spot, while the females roam freely. You can enter both enclosures, but don’t cross into the fenced-off male area.
*As of October 2024: Our friends at the Makauwahi Cave and Lida’s Field of Dreams, a small nature preserve with Giant African spurred tortoises on Kaua’i’s South Shore , have asked us to help rehome their Tortoises, as they make preparations to unfortunately close their sanctuary….
The preserve has 13 tortoises who will need to be rehomed. The largest is 300 pounds and the smallest is 50 pounds.
MAKE IT AN ADVENTURE: Mahaulepu Heritage Trail
To make an adventure of a visit to the Makauwahi Cave Reserve, take the scenic route via the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail, which is about 2 miles along the coast with views of the ocean along the way. Start/park at Shipwrecks beach, walk along the coast – be sure to look down where it’s safe as you can often see turtles in the water below, in the winter keep an eye out for whales – past the stables to the cave entry. Don’t turn our back to the ocean if you go to explore any tide pools and beaches. There’s also Mahaulepu Beach where you’ll often see a sleeping monk seal at the far end.
This is a good trail for novice hikers and walkers. Part of it is along a Hawaiian heiau (sacred site) and Poipu golf course; there are minimal elevation changes, many trails shoot off but all lead to the same place. I recommend going in the early morning or sunset/afternoon and to pack water, as it can get hot and there isn’t much shade on this trail.
This is a great sunrise hike if you are staying nearby! Check when sunrise is that day and get to Shipwrecks about 20-30 minutes earlier to start the trail. Parking will be easy very early morning. There’s a public bathroom and shower at the parking lot.
